Methods and Devices for Securing Radio Resources for an LTE-U Data Transmission

ABSTRACT

A method for securing radio resources for a Long Term Evolution-unlicensed, LTE-U, data transmission is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a plurality of bits in an unlicensed frequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U data transmission. Related communication devices, methods by devices, and systems are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication.Embodiments of the invention relate in particular to communication inlong term evolution (LTE)-unlicensed (LTE-U) frequency bands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With increasing popularity of mobile voice and data communication, thereis an ever increasing demand for high-speed voice and datacommunication. The licensed spectrum for cellular communication israpidly being exhausted by a dense and growing subscriber base. Thisapplies in particular to the valuable low-frequency bands with lowpropagation loss traits.

A significant amount of unlicensed spectrum is available. Forillustration, a significant amount of spectrum is globally available inthe 5 GHz band. It is desirable to utilize the LTE-unlicensed (LTE-U)spectrum to augment the capacity of licensed frequency carriers. TheLTE-U spectrum may be used for carrying data traffic for mobileservices. The purpose of LTE-U is to extend LTE cellular communicationto unlicensed spectrum.

Because the spectrum in the unlicensed band may also be used bycommunication techniques different from cellular communication, acommunication device, e.g. an eNodeB, will not always be able totransmit when it intends to transmit LTE-U data. The reason for this isthat radio resources in the LTE-U spectrum may be used by Wi-Fi or othernon-cellular communication techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a continued need in the art for devices, systems and methodswhich mitigate at least some of the above shortcomings. There is inparticular a need for devices, systems and methods in which aprobability that resource usage by other devices prevents acommunication device from transmitting in the LTE-U spectrum may bemitigated.

According to embodiments, a communication device which is configured foran LTE-U data transmission in the LTE-U spectral range may includeplurality of bits for transmission in a radio resource before the actualLTE-U data transmission. The risk that other devices start using theradio resource in a time gap remaining until the LTE-U data transmissionstarts may thereby be mitigated.

The communication device may include information in the plurality ofbits. The information included in the plurality of bits may be used toincrease a detection probability for the LTE-U data transmission.Alternatively or additionally, the information included in the pluralityof bits may be used to inform at least one further communication deviceof an intended duration of the upcoming LTE-U transmission.Alternatively or additionally, the information included in the pluralityof bits may be used by at least one further communication device toestimate channel properties or to otherwise improve LTE-U demodulation.

In a method of securing radio resources for an LTE-unlicensed, LTE-U,data transmission of a communication device in an unlicensed frequencyband, the communication device transmits a plurality of bits in theunlicensed frequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U datatransmission.

The communication device may generate the plurality of bits in responseto detecting that the communication device intends to perform the LTE-Udata transmission.

A number of bits of the plurality of bits may be set by thecommunication device in dependence on a time gap to a start time of anLTE subframe. The communication device may thereby block the resourcefor usage by other devices until the LTE-U data transmission is startedin a manner synchronized with a timing of a cellular network.

The communication device may synchronize the LTE-U data transmissionwith the start time of the LTE subframe.

The communication device may monitor whether at least one furthercommunication device uses the radio resource in the unlicensed frequencyband. The communication device may start transmitting the plurality ofbits while the radio resources are not used by the at least one furthercommunication device.

The plurality of bits may prevent at least one further communicationdevice from using the radio resources until the LTE-U data transmissionstarts.

The at least one further communication device may comprise at least oneWi-Fi transmitter which is prevented from using the radio resourcesuntil the LTE-U data transmission starts.

A further communication device may receive the plurality of bits. Thefurther communication device may use the plurality of bits fordemodulating the LTE-U data transmission.

The further communication device may estimate channel properties of theLTE-U data transmission using the plurality of bits.

The further communication device may be a user equipment of a cellularnetwork.

The plurality of bits may comprise a resource allocation for the LTE-Udata transmission.

The plurality of bits may comprise a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fipreamble.

The plurality of bits may comprise a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fipreamble and a PHY header.

The plurality of bits may comprise LTE pilot data.

The LTE data transmission may comprise LTE control data transmitted inthe unlicensed band.

The LTE data transmission may comprise LTE payload data transmitted inthe unlicensed band. The LTE payload data may be mobile service data.

The communication device may be an evolved NodeB (eNodeB).

A communication device according to an embodiment comprises atransmitter configured to transmit LTE-unlicensed, LTE-U, radio signalsin an unlicensed frequency band. The communication device is configuredto secure radio resources in the unlicensed frequency band for an LTE-Udata transmission by transmitting a plurality of bits in the unlicensedfrequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U data transmission.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits in response to detecting that the LTE-U data transmission must beperformed.

The communication device may be configured to set a number of bits ofthe plurality of bits in dependence on a time gap to a start time of anLTE subframe.

The communication device may be configured to synchronize the LTE-U datatransmission with the start time of the LTE subframe.

The communication device may be configured to monitor whether at leastone further communication device uses the radio resource in theunlicensed frequency band. The communication device may be configured tostart transmitting the plurality of bits while the radio resources arenot used by the at least one further communication device.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits to thereby prevent at least one further communication device fromusing the radio resources until the LTE-U data transmission starts. Theat least one further communication device may comprise at least oneWi-Fi transmitter which is prevented from using the radio resourcesuntil the LTE-U data transmission starts.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits such that the plurality of bits comprises a resource allocation forthe LTE-U data transmission.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits such that the plurality of bits comprises a WLAN preamble, e.g. aWi-Fi preamble.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits such that the plurality of bits comprises a WLAN preamble, e.g. aWi-Fi preamble and a PHY header. The communication device may beconfigured to indicate a time of the LTE-U data transmission in the PHYheader.

The communication device may be configured to generate the plurality ofbits such that the plurality of bits comprises LTE pilot data.

The communication device may be configured to generate the LTE datatransmission such that the LTE data transmission comprises LTE controldata transmitted in the unlicensed band.

The communication device may be configured to generate the LTE datatransmission such that the LTE data transmission comprises LTE payloaddata transmitted in the unlicensed band. The LTE payload data may bemobile service data.

The communication device may be an evolved NodeB (eNodeB.

The communication device may be configured to perform the methodaccording to an embodiment.

A communication system comprises a communication device according to anembodiment and at least one further communication device.

The communication device may be an eNodeB. The communication device maybe an eNodeB serving a micro or pico cell.

The further communication device may be a user equipment of a cellularnetwork. The further user equipment may use the plurality of bitstransmitted by the communication device for demodulating the LTE-U datatransmission. The further user equipment may use the plurality of bitstransmitted by the communication device for determining a time and/orduration of the LTE-U data transmission.

In the methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments, theunlicensed frequency band may be a portion of a radio spectrum which isnot licensed to any operator of a cellular communication network.

In the methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments, theunlicensed frequency band may be the 5 GHz band or may comprise at leastone subband of the 5 GHz band. In the methods, devices, and systemsaccording to embodiments, the unlicensed frequency band may be the 5 GHzband or may comprise at least one subband of the 3.5 GHz band.

Devices, systems and methods according to embodiments allow acommunication device to mitigate the risk that other devices block LTE-Uradio resources just before the communication device transmits the LTE-Udata transmission in the unlicensed frequency band. By addinginformation in the plurality of bits, a header may be formed for theLTE-U data transmission which may be used by further communicationdevices for demodulating the LTE-U data transmission and/or forestimating channel properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which the same or similar reference numeralsdesignate the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a communication device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a utilization of an LTE-U frequency band in a method andsystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a utilization of an LTE-U frequency band in a method andsystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a transmission of a plurality of bitsinserted before a LTE-U data transmission by a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is block diagram of a communication device according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with referenceto the drawings. While some embodiments will be described in the contextof specific fields of application, e.g. in the context of certainspectral ranges and communication techniques, the embodiments are notlimited to this field of application. The features of the variousembodiments may be combined with each other unless specifically statedotherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system 1 according to anembodiment. The communication system 1 illustrates one of variouspossible exemplary scenarios in which transmissions in Long TermEvolution (LTE)-unlicensed (LTE-U) frequency bands may be employed. Acellular communication network has a radio access network having a basestation 2. The base station 2 may serve a macro cell 3. There may be oneor several smaller operator deployed cell(s) 11. The cell 11 may be amicro cell or a pico cell. An eNodeB 10 may be deployed by an operatorof the cellular communication network for serving the cell 11. The cell11 of the cellular communication network may support a transmission ofthe LTE traffic data both in LTE licensed frequency bands and in LTE-Ufrequency bands.

The unlicensed frequency band(s) which may be used for LTE-U datatransmissions may be frequency bands which are not exclusively licensedto a cellular network operator. The unlicensed frequency band(s) whichmay be used for LTE-U data transmissions may be frequency bands whichare not licensed to any cellular network operator.

The unlicensed frequency band(s) may include one or several frequencybands for which a cellular network operator has primary rights, but forwhich spectrum may be utilized by secondary other users, e.g. if notused on each geographic location.

The unlicensed frequency band(s) may include shared spectrum for whichone operator has primary rights, but which may be co-utilized bysecondary users at least under certain conditions.

The LTE-U frequency bands may include at least some subbands of the 5GHz band, for example. The LTE-U frequency bands may include a frequencyband from 5150 MHz to 5350 MHz, which is a subband of the 5 GHz band.Alternatively or additionally, the LTE-U frequency bands may include afrequency band from 5150 MHz to 5250 MHz, which is another subband ofthe 5 GHz band. Alternatively or additionally, the LTE-U frequency bandsmay include a frequency band from 5250 MHz to 5350 MHz, which is anothersubband of the 5 GHz band. Alternatively or additionally, the LTE-Ufrequency bands may include a frequency band from 5470 MHz to 5725 MHz,which is another subband of the 5 GHz band. Alternatively oradditionally, the LTE-U frequency bands may include the 3.5 GHz band.The LTE-U frequency bands may include the U U-NII-3 5 GHz unlicensedband.

Any one of various deployment options may be used for aggregatingunlicensed spectrum to a licensed carrier to augment capacity. In aSupplemental Downlink (SDL) mode of operation, the unlicensed spectrummay be utilized only for the downlink to augment capacity and increasedata rates in a heavily trafficked downlink. In a Carrier Aggregation(CA) mode of operation allows use of unlicensed spectrum in both thedownlink and uplink. The CA mode allows the amount of unlicensedspectrum resource that can be allocated for uplink or downlink to beadjusted.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a SDL mode of operation. Downlink (DL)and uplink (UL) control signalling and data traffic may be transmittedin the LTE-licensed carrier frequencies by radio signals 25. At least DLtraffic may be transmitted from the eNodeB to a further communicationdevice 21, which may be a user equipment of the cellular network, in aLTE-U radio signal 26. The LTE-U radio signal may have a frequency inthe LTE-U frequency bands.

Offloading data traffic to the LTE-U frequency bands may be performedselectively for only some of the user equipments in the cell 11. Forillustration, the eNodeB 10 may perform LTE-U data transmissions for DLtraffic to the user equipment 21, but may not perform LTE-U offloadingfor another user equipment 22.

While FIG. 1 exemplarily shows a scenario in which the eNodeB acts as acommunication device which performs LTE-U data transmissions using radioresources in an LTE-U frequency band, the techniques according toembodiments can also be used when the user equipment 21 acts as acommunication device which perform LTE-U data transmissions using radioresources in an LTE-U frequency band. The LTE-U data transmissions maybe DL or UL transmissions.

The LTE-U frequency bands may also be used by one or several devices 23,24 which are not under a control of a cellular network operator.Examples for such devices 23, 24 include WLAN devices, which maycommunicate using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for example, or WLAN accesspoints. The presence of such device 23, 24 which are configured totransmit in a LTE-U frequency band which is intended to be used forLTE-U data transmissions may lead to interference problems. Forillustration, the eNodeB will not be able to transmit a LTE-U datatransmission in a radio resource which is used by one or several of thedevices 23, 24 at the respective time. Transmissions 27 between thedevices 23, 24 may have a frequency in the LTE-U frequency bands and areprone to causing interference with a LTE-U data transmission.

As will be explained in more detail below, a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment may mitigate the risk that a LTE-U datatransmission cannot be performed because of conflicting transmissions byfurther communication devices, such as the non-cellular communicationdevices 23, 24. To this end, the communication device may generate aplurality of bits which are inserted for transmission before the actualLTE-U data transmission. The communication device may set a number ofbits in the plurality of bits such that a radio resource in the LTE-Ufrequency band is used for transmitting the number of bits until theLTE-U data transmission starts. The LTE-U data transmission may bestarted in synchronization with a start time of a subframe of thecellular communication network, for example.

The communication device which generates and inserts the plurality ofbits as pre-transmission bits may generate the plurality of bits suchthat the plurality of bits includes information. The information may beprocessed by a further communication device, e.g. the user equipment 21,or by non-cellular communication devices 23, 24. The information may beLTE pilot data. The user equipment 21 may process the LTE pilot data andmay use the LTE pilot data for demodulating the subsequent LTE-Utransmission. The information may define a time at which the LTE-Utransmission is started and/or a duration of the LTE-U transmission.

As will be explained in more detail below, the communication deviceaccording to an embodiment may generate the plurality of bits such thatthey form a header for the LTE-U data transmission. The header mayinclude one or several of a WLAN preamble, a Wi-Fi preamble, a PHYheader, and/or LTE pilot data.

A scenario has been explained with reference to FIG. 1 in whichunlicensed and licensed carriers may be co-located and carrieraggregation may be performed, with the LTE-U acting as secondarycarrier. The techniques described in more detail with reference to FIG.2 to FIG. 12 below may also be used for standalone scenarios in whichthe LTE-U transmissions do not necessarily need to be accompanied by aLTE licensed carrier as primary carrier.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a communication device 10 according to anembodiment. The communication device 10 is configured as an eNodeB.However, a configuration as explained with reference to FIG. 2 may beimplemented in any LTE-U transmitting device. For illustration, a userequipment of the cellular communication network may be operative asexplained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 12 below andthe LTE-U data transmission may be an UL transmission.

The communication device 10 comprises a wireless interface 30. Thewireless interface 30 may be configured to transmit and receive dataover an eUTRA air interface. The wireless interface 30 comprises a LTE-Utransmitter 31. The LTE-U transmitter 31 is configured to transmit LTEdata. The LTE-U transmitter 31 may be configured to transmit trafficdata in accordance with a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). TheLTE-U transmitter 31 may be configured to use radio resources from aLTE-U frequency band which are not licensed to any cellular networkoperator for transmitting the traffic data. The LTE-U transmitter 31 mayoptionally be configured to transmit control data in accordance with aPhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The LTE-U transmitter 31 maybe configured to use radio resources from a LTE-U frequency band whichare not licensed to any cellular network operator for transmitting thecontrol data. The LTE-U transmitter 31 may be configured to perform amodulation to generate LTE-U radio signals having a frequency in afrequency band which is not licensed to any cellular network operator.

The wireless interface 30 may optionally comprise a LTE-U receiver 32.The LTE-U receiver 32 may be configured to perform LTE-U demodulation.The LTE-U receiver 32 may be configured to demodulate radio signalshaving a frequency in a frequency band which is not licensed to anycellular network operator.

The communication device 10 may have a processing device 33. Theprocessing device 33 may be configured to monitor, via the LTE-Ureceiver 32, whether other communication devices use radio resources inthe LTE-U spectrum. The processing device 33 may be configured togenerate a plurality of bits and to provide the plurality of bits to theLTE-U transmitter 31 for transmission before the LTE-U datatransmission. The processing device 33 may be configured to generate theplurality of bits such that energy is output at the radio resource whichis to be used for the forthcoming LTE-U data transmission. This energyat the radio resource in the LTE-U spectrum may prevent other cellularor non-cellular communication devices from starting a transmission atthe respective radio resource just before the communication device 10starts transmitting the LTE-U.

The processing device 33 may be configured such that the plurality ofbits provided to the LTE-U transmitter 31 for transmission carryinformation. The information may be LTE pilot data or may comprise LTEpilot data. In addition to reducing the risk that other cellular ornon-cellular communication devices will block a radio resource for theLTE-U data transmission, the transmission of the plurality of bits thenallows a LTE-U receiving device, e.g. the user equipment 21, to improveLTE-U demodulation based on the LTE pilot signal.

Alternatively or additionally, the information included in the pluralityof bits by the processing device 33 may be a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fipreamble, and a PHY header. The Wi-Fi preamble and PHY header may beconfigured as defined in IEEE 802.11. The PHY header may comprise alength field. The processing device 33 may add timing information in thelength field of the PHY header which may indicate a time at which aLTE-U data transmission starts and/or a duration of the LTE-U datatransmission.

Alternatively or additionally, the information included in the pluralityof bits by the processing device 33 may be a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fipreamble. The detection probability of the plurality of bits by a WLANdevice 23, 24 may thereby be increased.

The processing device 33 may be configured to dynamically adjust theamount of information in the plurality of bits depending on a timeremaining to a start time of the next subframe of the cellular network.When the processing device 33 detects that usage of a radio resource byfurther communication devices ends, it may determine the time remaininguntil the next subframe starts. The amount of information, e.g. thenumber of bits of the at least one bit, may be set depending on the timewhich remains until the next subframe starts. The amount of information,e.g. the number of bits of the at least one bit, may be set such thatthe plurality of bits is transmitted until the start of the nextsubframe, and that the LTE-U data transmission may start at thebeginning of the next subframe. This allows the LTE-U data transmissionsto be synchronized to the subframes of the cellular communicationnetwork. This may be desirable for synchronized secondary cells.

Various effects are attained by transmitting the plurality of bits and,optionally, adding information to the plurality of bits. Other devices,e.g. the non-cellular devices 23, 24, are less likely to start using aradio resource when the communication device 10 outputs energy at thisradio resource to block it until the LTE-U data transmission is started.The LTE-U receiver of a further user equipment may more easily detectthe start of the LTE-U transmission. For illustration, the LTE-Ureceiver of a user equipment 21 may detect the LTE pilot datatransmitted in the plurality of bits, which may aid the user equipmentin detecting the start of the actual LTE-U data transmission.

The techniques according to embodiments may not only be used forstandalone LTE-U, but also when unlicensed and licensed carriers areintegrated. Carrier aggregation mechanisms of LTE Rel-10 to Rel-12 mayserve the purpose of aggregating LTE-U carriers and licensed LTEcarriers. The LTE-U carrier may be integrated as secondary carrier intoa LTE licensed network, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates a scenario in which a communication device may use acarrier 41 licensed to the cellular network operator and radio resourcesin a LTE-U frequency band 42. The LTE-U frequency band 42 may includeseveral carriers 43-45.

The licensed carrier 41 may be used for DL and UL control signalling anddata transmissions 46. The radio resource for the LTE-U datatransmission, e.g. a carrier in the LTE-U frequency band 42, may be usedat least for DL LTE data traffic. DL data traffic may be offloaded tothe secondary carrier when needed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a scenario in which the radio resource for the LTE-Udata transmission, e.g. a carrier in the LTE-U frequency band 42, may beused at least for UL and DL LTE data traffic. UL and DL data traffic maybe offloaded to the secondary carrier when needed. The LTE-U spectrummay be operated in time division duplex (TDD).

In yet further implementations, it is not required that the LTE-U becombined with a primary carrier in the licensed LTE frequencies.

In any one of the various implementations, the communication deviceaccording to an embodiment may mitigate the risk of interference forLTE-U data transmissions by inserting a plurality of bits just beforethe LTE-U data transmission, as will be explained in more detail withreference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 12.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 50 according to an embodiment. Themethod 50 may be performed by the communication device according to anembodiment. The method 50 may be performed by an eNodeB according to anembodiment.

At 51, the communication device determines whether a LTE-U datatransmission is intended to be performed. A decision on whether LTE-Udata transmissions are to be performed may depend on a traffic load inthe downlink, for example. Offloading to LTE-U may be selectivelyactivated only when the traffic load in the downlink exceeds athreshold.

At 52, if it is not intended to perform LTE-U data transmissions, thecarriers licensed to a cellular network operator may be used. The methodmay return to 51.

At 53, if it is intended to perform a LTE-U data transmission, the usageof one or several carriers of the LTE-U frequency band(s) may bemonitored. An LTE-U receiver may detect radio energy on respectivelyeach one of several carriers to determine which one(s) of the severalcarriers are being used by other devices.

At 54, it is determined whether an unused radio resource has beendetected. If no unused radio resource has been detected, the method mayreturn to 53 until a radio resource in the LTE-U frequency band(s)becomes free.

At 55, an amount of information which is to be included prior to theLTE-U data transmission may be determined. Determining the amount ofinformation may be performed in dependence on a time gap which remainsuntil the next subframe starts. The amount of information and/or anumber of a plurality of bits which are inserted before the LTE-U datatransmission may be set such that the plurality of bits can all betransmitted before the start of the next subframe. The amount ofinformation and/or a number of a plurality of bits which are insertedbefore the LTE-U data transmission may be set such that the transmissionof the plurality of bits continues until the LTE-U data transmissionstarts at the start of the next subframe.

At 55, the plurality of bits is inserted before the LTE-U datatransmission. The plurality of bits and the LTE-U data transmission maybe combined in one LTE-U packet.

At 56, the LTE-U data transmission is performed.

The method may then return to 51.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62.

The communication device may detect that the radio resource 60 is usedby one or several further device(s). For illustration, a WLAN device orother non-cellular device may use the radio resource 60 for transmittinga Wi-Fi frame 61. The communication device may monitor the energy at thefrequency of the radio resource 60 to determine whether the radioresource 60 is used by one or several further device(s).

When the communication device detects that the transmission of the Wi-Fiframe 61 terminates, it may output energy in the radio resource 60 toprevent the further communication device(s) from starting a newtransmission just before the LTE-U data transmission 62 starts. Thecommunication device outputs a plurality of bits 63 which are insertedjust before the LTE-U data transmission. The plurality of bits 63 mayall have a pre-defined value or may have random values if it is onlyintended to output energy at the radio resource 60 to mitigate the riskof interference. The plurality of bits 63 may also carry information,e.g. LTE pilot data or information on a duration of the LTE-U datatransmission 62 or information on the time gap remaining to the start ofthe LTE-U data transmission 62.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62.

The LTE-U data transmission 62 is synchronized to a start 68 of subframe69. To mitigate the risk that a further communication device preventsthe communication device from starting the LTE-U data transmission 62,the plurality of bits 63 may include a number of bits which is set suchthat the transmission of the plurality of bits 63 terminates just at thestart 68 of the subframe 69. The plurality of bits 63 may thereby servesas a header or information block which directly precedes the LTE-U datatransmission.

The plurality of bits 63 may have any one of a variety of formats andmay include any one of a variety of different information elements.Implementations according to some embodiments are explained in moredetail with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62. The LTE-U data transmission 62 may include payload data66. The LTE-U data transmission 62 may include control data 65. Whilethe payload data 66 and the control data 65 may be configured inaccordance with LTE, the data is transmitted at frequencies not licensedto a cellular network operator.

The plurality of bits 63 includes a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fi preamble71 or may consist of the WLAN preamble, e.g. the Wi-Fi preamble 71. TheWLAN preamble may be a Wi-Fi preamble according to the IEEE 802.11standard family.

Wi-Fi devices have a higher sensitivity requirement for detecting theWi-Fi preamble. By transmitting the Wi-Fi preamble, the detectionprobability by Wi-Fi devices is increased, thereby further reducing therisk that a Wi-Fi device will block the radio resource when thecommunication device is about to start the LTE-U data transmission 62.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62.

The plurality of bits 63 includes a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fi preamble71 and a PHY header 72. The plurality of bits 63 may consist of theWi-Fi preamble 71 and the PHY header 72. The Wi-Fi preamble, and the PHYheader may be configured in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standardfamily.

The PHY header 72 has a length field. The communication device may setthe bits of the length field such that they indicate a time associatedwith the LTE-U data transmission 62. The communication device may setthe bits of the length field of the PHY header such that they indicate aduration of the LTE-U data transmission. The communication device mayset the bits of the length field of the PHY header such that theyindicate a time until a start of the LTE-U data transmission.

Additional information may be included in the plurality of bits 63. Forillustration, information which allows a user equipment to estimatechannel properties of a LTE-U channel may be included in the pluralityof bits.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62.

The plurality of bits 63 includes a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fi preamble71, a PHY header 72, and an LTE reference signal 73. The referencesignal 73 may be a cell specific reference signal (CRS). The pluralityof bits 63 may consist of the WLAN preamble, e.g. the Wi-Fi preamble 71,the PHY header 72 and the LTE reference signal 73. The Wi-Fi preambleand the PHY header may be configured in accordance with the IEEE 802.11standard family.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating operation of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment when a radio resource 60, e.g. a LTE-Ucarrier in a LTE-U frequency band, is to be used for the LTE-U datatransmission 62.

The plurality of bits 63 includes LTE pilot data 74. The plurality ofbits 63 may consist of the LTE pilot data 74. The LTE pilot data 74 maybe used by a further communication device, e.g. a user equipment, fordemodulating the subsequently transmitted LTE-U data transmission 62.The LTE pilot data 74 may be used by the user equipment to estimatechannel properties, for example.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram 80 of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment. The communication device may be an eNodeB.The various processing functions explained with reference to FIG. 12 maybe implemented in a base station logic.

The communication device may comprise a resource usage monitoring module81 which monitors a resource usage of LTE-U radio resources. Theresource usage monitoring module 81 may determine a radio signal energyin each one of a plurality of LTE-U carriers.

The communication device may comprise a timing monitoring module 82which monitors a timing of a cellular network. The timing monitoringmodule 82 may determine a time gap remaining until a start of a nextsubframe when a radio resource of the LTE-U frequency band becomes freefor usage of the communication device.

The communication device may comprise a pre-transmission bits generationmodule 83. The pre-transmission bits generation module 83 generates aplurality of bits for inclusion as a header to a LTE-U datatransmission. The pre-transmission bits generation module 83 maygenerate a number of bits for transmission at the radio resource whichmay depend on the time gap to the start of the next subframe, asdetermined by the timing monitoring module 82. The pre-transmission bitsgeneration module 83 may generate the bits to have the same value or tobe a random sequence. The pre-transmission bits generation module 83 maygenerate the plurality of bits such that they carry information. Theinformation may comprise a WLAN preamble, e.g. a Wi-Fi preamble. Theinformation may comprise a PHY header. The information may comprise atime information related to the LTE-U data transmission which isincluded in the PHY header. The information may comprise LTE pilot data.

The communication device may comprise an interface control module 84.The interface control module 84 may be configured to control atransmitter such that the plurality of bits is output before the LTE-Udata transmission. The interface control module 84 may be configured tocontrol the transmitter such that the plurality of bits which forms aheader for the LTE-U data transmission and the LTE-U data transmissionare transmitted as a radio signal on a carrier which is a LTE-U carrier.

The communication device may comprise additional functional entities.For illustration, when LTE-U carriers are integrated as secondarycarriers with LTE licensed carriers, the communication device maycomprise a carrier aggregation module 85. The carrier aggregation module85 may perform control signalling for data traffic offloaded to thesecondary LTE-U carriers.

Various effects are attained by the devices, methods and systemsaccording to embodiments. For illustration, the communication device maymitigate the risk that a further communication device starts using aLTE-U radio resource just before the communication device starts a LTE-Udata transmission.

While exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to thedrawings, modifications may be implemented in other embodiments. Forillustration, the communication device does not need to be an eNodeB.The communication device may be a user equipment which performs LTE-Udata transmissions in the uplink. The user equipment may mitigate therisk that a further communication device starts using a LTE-U radioresource just before the communication device starts a LTE-U datatransmission using the techniques described herein.

For further illustration, the communication device may not only be usedwhen LTE-U carriers are aggregated with LTE licensed carriers, but mayalso be used for standalone LTE-U systems.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain preferred embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occurto others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of thespecification. The present invention includes all such equivalents andmodifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of securing radio resources for a LongTerm Evolution-unlicensed, LTE-U, data transmission of a communicationdevice in an unlicensed frequency band, the method comprising:transmitting, by the communication device, a plurality of bits in theunlicensed frequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U datatransmission.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generatingthe plurality of bits by the communication device in response todetecting that the communication device intends to perform the LTE-Udata transmission.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: settinga number of bits of the plurality of bits in dependence on a time gap toa start time of an LTE subframe.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: synchronizing the LTE-U data transmission with the starttime of the LTE subframe.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:monitoring, by the communication device, whether at least one furthercommunication device uses the radio resources in the unlicensedfrequency band, wherein the communication device starts transmitting theplurality of bits while the radio resources are not used by the at leastone further communication device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of bits prevents at least one further communication devicefrom using the radio resources until the LTE-U data transmission starts.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one further communicationdevice comprises at least one device of a wireless local area network.8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by a furthercommunication device, the plurality of bits, and using, by the furthercommunication device, the plurality of bits for demodulating the LTE-Udata transmission.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the furthercommunication device estimates channel properties of the LTE-U datatransmission using the plurality of bits.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of bits comprises a resource allocation for theLTE-U data transmission.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of bits comprises a WLAN preamble.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of bits comprises a WLAN preamble and a PHYheader.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bitscomprises LTE pilot data.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the LTEdata transmission comprises LTE control data transmitted in theunlicensed band.
 15. A communication device, comprising: a transmitterconfigured to transmit Long Term Evolution-unlicensed, LTE-U, radiosignals in an unlicensed frequency band, the communication device beingconfigured to secure radio resources in the unlicensed frequency bandfor an LTE-U data transmission by transmitting a plurality of bits inthe unlicensed frequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U datatransmission.
 16. The communication device of claim 15, wherein thecommunication device is configured to generate the plurality of bits inresponse to detecting that the LTE-U data transmission must beperformed.
 17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein thecommunication device is configured to set a number of bits of theplurality of bits in dependence on a time gap to a start time of an LTEsubframe.
 18. A communication system, comprising: a communicationdevice, the communication device comprising a transmitter configured totransmit Long Term Evolution-unlicensed, LTE-U, radio signals in anunlicensed frequency band, the communication device being configured tosecure radio resources in the unlicensed frequency band for an LTE-Udata transmission by transmitting a plurality of bits in the unlicensedfrequency band which are inserted before the LTE-U data transmission;and a further communication device configured to receive the pluralityof bits and to use the plurality of bits for demodulating the LTE-U datatransmission.
 19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein theplurality of bits prevents the further communication device from usingthe radio resources until the LTE-U data transmission starts.
 20. Thecommunication system of claim 18, wherein the communication device is aneNodeB, and wherein the further communication device is a userequipment.